5 has commissioned a three-part travel adventure series, Michael Palin in the Philippines produced by ITN Productions.
The Philippines, still dominated by the legacy of the Marcos family is now part tourist paradise, but there is extreme poverty for many and by political unrest and violence. Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos’s son, Bongbong, is now President, despite his family being exiled 40 years ago. And the previous president, Rodrigo Duterte, is under arrest in the international criminal court in the Netherlands, accused of the deaths of 30,000 Filipinos and ‘Crimes against humanity’.
Palin explores life in the capital city, challenged under this unusual political situation, before flying out to the militarised island of Pagasa in the middle of the contested South China Sea. China is aggressively asserting its claims over one of the most important shipping lanes in the world. Palin finds himself in the middle of a conflict between a Philippine and Chinese coastguard ship.
Michael Palin says: “I find these journeys for 5 irresistible and revealing. Rarely does anyone have the chance to get as close to the great issues of a country as we did in the Philippines. I was a little nervous of taking on yet another journey, especially one so testing on the energy levels, but what we heard and saw was extraordinary and very different from any of the journeys we’ve done so far. A cracker, though I say it myself.”
Palin will also see some of the country’s 7,641 islands, sleeping in remote beach camps in El Nido, travelling through underground rivers and swimming with thousands of sardines in Moalboal.
In the southern island of Mindanao, Palin will experience a a centre of Islamic extremism and an area on the UK Foreign Office’s ‘do not travel’ red list. Under military escort, he explores the extraordinary and remains of the destroyed city of Marawi, and on the island of Jolo he meets a member of the terrorist group, Abu Sayyaf.Palin has seen success with his previous series – journeys to Venezuela, Nigeria, Iraq, and North Korea – for the channel.
Guy Davies, Consultant Editor for Commissioning at 5 added: “Michael’s new series for 5 is as challenging, insightful, and visually stunning. He is energetic and interested in people’s stories as ever. I still can’t believe he’s on his fifth consecutive journey for us, and he’s as energetic, funny, and warm-hearted as ever. ”
Neil Ferguson, Series Producer and Director for ITN commented: “This was the most ambitious shoot we’ve ever done with Michael and the Philippines exceeded all our expectations. It’s a country of stunning contrasts and we often experienced paradise one day, followed by something much darker the next. And whether it was political protest marches, military flights to remote islands, sleeping on the deck of overnight ferries or swimming with thousands of sardines, Michael took it all in his ridiculously nimble stride. It’s a real adventure.”
Michael Palin in The Philippines – (3×60’) is commissioned by Guy Davies, Consultant Editor for Commissioning at 5.
Produced by ITN – Series Producer and Director, Neil Ferguson.
Executive Producer at ITN Productions, Jeremy Daldry.
Hutchinson Heinemann will also publish a book about his travels called Michael Palin in the Philippines this autumn in hardback, ebook and audiobook*
Pippa Considine
Share this story
